Printing apparatus for printing india-rubber balloons in an inflated condition



1,646,021 Oct. 18, 1927. H GROSSER PRINTING APPARATUS FOR PRINTING INDIARUBBER BALLOONS IN AN INFLATED CONDITION Filed March 5, 1927 Fig: 1.

v fm emor Patented Oct. 18, 1927.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

HANS GROSSER, F BUENOS AIRES, ARGENTINA, ASSIGNOR TO THE FIRM UNITEDSTATES IMPORT HOUSE EMANUEL VAN DAM, OF AMSTERDAM, NETHERLANDS. I

PRINTING APPARATUS FOR PRINTING INDIA-RUBBER BALLOONS IN AN INFLATEDcoNmTIoN.

Application filed March 3, 1927, Serial No. 172,518, and in GermanyApril 8, 1925.

The printing apparatus forming the subject-matter of the presentinvention renders it possible to print in one single operation orprocess upon all sides of indiarubber balloons. bladders or otherinflatable articles when they are in an inflated condition.

Hitherto it has only been possible to print indiarubber balloonspartially, by spreading them out flat in an uninflated condition or toinflate them and to place the balloons on the usual printing press andto print in the usual manner and stamping them, a process whichprecluded the possibility of printing them on all sides, and which inconsequence of the distortion occurring upon inflation of theindiarubber balloon, only admitted of being used for a large or holdstyle of ornamentation or lettering.

The apparatus according to the present 2 invention is illustrated by wayof example in the accompanying drawings 1n sectional elevation, Figure 1showing it in an open condition and Figure 2 in a closed condition.

The apparatus consists of two hollow hemispheres, the internal surfacesa and b of which form or carry the printing blocks d, and which can beseparated from one another, as shownin Figure 1, for the purpose ofenabling the uninflated balloon c to be introduced, and then broughttogether to form a closed sphere, as shown in Figure 2. The method ofoperation of the apparatus is as follows After the internal orprinting-block sides d of the two hollow hemispheres a and b have beeninked, the latter are closed round the uninflated balloon c to form ahollow sphere. By means of compressed air the balloon 0 is so stronglyinflated that it presses with its entire surface against the plantingblock walls d and accordingly receives an I impression therefrom. Afterthe balloon c has diminished in size owing to the discharge of art ofthe air enclosed therein, the hemisp eres a, b are opened again for thepurpose of being inked afresh, and the printed balloon is removed.

The inking of the printing blocks or printing block walls (Z may beeffected either by indiarubber balloons it is possible to print.

by one single process or by one single operation all sides or partsaround such bal loons.

In the above specification the new printing apparatus has been describedand illustrated by way of example as consisting of two hollowhemispheres a and b, but it will be obvious that the new printing moldprovided with the printing blocks or surfaces d may consist of more thantwo parts for instance the mold may consist of 12 parts. which worktogether in the same Way as described and show the shape of a closedsphere consisting of 12 parts (like an orange) if brought together,without departing from the nature of the present invention.

What I claim is 1. Printing apparatus for printing upon mold, whenclosed, being substantially of the.

same shape as the balloon when inflated, said mold being formed with asmall aperture through which the mouth of the balloon can pass forinflating purposes, and printing surfaces upon the interior of saidmold.

2. Printin apparatus for printing upon indiarubber balloons and thelike, comprising a hollow mold capable of being opened for theintroduction of the balloon in an uninflated condition, the internalcavit of said mold, when closed, being substantially of the same shapeas the balloon when inflated, said mold being formed with a smallaperture through which the mouth of the balloon can pass for inflatingpurposes, and

concave printing blocks adapted to be fitted into the interior of saidmold.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification.

HANS GROSSER,

